AUDIO: Habs given day off on Sunday; Game 3 Tuesday night at Bell Centre

The Canadiens were given Sunday off by coach Michel Therrien after splitting the first two games of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Bruins in Boston.

Game 3 is Tuesday night at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690).

Therrien and defenceman Josh Gorges took part in a conference call with reporters at noon Sunday.

Gorges was asked on the conference call about his thoughts on the high number of third-period comebacks during this year’s playoffs.

“I think it just shows that all teams are competitive and wanting to win and no team is going to give up,” Gorges said. “I think everyone knows the importance of winning these games and no lead is ever safe because the other team just doesn’t quit and that was evident last night. Boston didn’t give up, they kept coming. And I think moving forward the biggest thing for us is to not stop playing our game. We can’t sit back and try to protect the lead. We have to keep pushing forward and be aggressive and keep playing our game.”

After blowing a 3-1 lead in the third period of Game 2 Saturday in Boston, losing 5-3, Therrien said it would have been a great accomplishment to go home with a 2-0 lead in the series but “we have to look at the big picture, winning the first game here. We are going home and we kmow that if we play our game, we will get chances.”

During the conference call Sunday, Therrien was asked about the Bruins gaining momentum in the series.

“Momentum, yes it’s a part of hockey, but there’s nothing you can do about the past,” the coach said. “What is important is the moment, it’s the present. So our preparation for the next game already started from the coaching standpoint. There’s going to be things that we’re going to apply tomorrow during our practice and make sure we’re going to be ready to apply those things in the next game. But you know what? Momentum will start when we’re going to drop the puck. There’s nothing we can change about the past.”

Therrien added that his team gained confidence from the two games in Boston.

“It’s a boost of confidence for our players that we’re capable to compete with that team,” the coach said. “We’re capable to play with that team. And one thing for sure, playing at the Bell Centre with the fans that we got and the support that we got it’s a tough place for the other teams to play in our building.”

Following Game 2, Thomas Vanek told reporters in Boston: “We won a game we didn’t deserve (in Game 1) and this one we probably deserved but we didn’t play a full 60 minutes. They got a goal and they kept coming and coming. They got a goal closer and we all know what happened after that. We got a game out of here and that’s a positive. Now, we’ll look at this one and be ready for the next one.”

Not likely…I think that that fan base will want a more established coach.

My bets: Trotz ends up in Vancouver, while Toronto takes a good, long look at Muller. The Leafs need a player’s coach, and that is what Muller is. Get him to bring in a good tactical assistant coach, and it could work well for them.

Good morning HIO,
My name is Mark and I’m a Haboholic. So up 3-1 with 10 minutes left and Carey Price in net. Usually pretty safe but I knew something was going to happen. It always does. I thought it would at least go to OT. Not blaming Price. But it seemed that everything they threw at the net went in. Not sure what else Frankie B could do. I hope this does not define this series.
Go Habs Go!!

I agree that there was some luck on the goal that deflected of Cube, but the reason that shot was even taken in the first place is ’cause that line got completely outmuscled along the Boards and couldn’t clear it. There were four Habs in the vicinity (Bouillion, Weaver, Plekanec, Gallagher), but they lost the battle….

the second actually hit a divot on the ice, and projected up about 30 degrees. must have been a pothole like here in Halifax. really bad break, must have been Boone messing with too many reverse jinx’s

Under a heavy screen, Price going down to take away the bottom of the net is not bad goaltending, he is playing the percentages. When you can’t see the puck, you make yourself as big as possible in the net. Standing up with 2 and a half feet of your body above the crossbar is not optimal as an alternative.

Goaltending is extremely team dependant. The goalie is not responsible for screened shots or rebounds. Even cross ice passes should never be permitted as these are tough for any goalie. Price is the least of the Canadiens concerns. If the Bruins are scoring too much, I would suggest the problem is elsewhere, not with the goalie.

I agree that Price is the least of the Canadiens’ concerns.
However, if the Bruins are openly declaring that their intent is to shoot high on him, is there not an issue?

Also (sorry, slow brain!), it’s not just during heavy screens that he’s staying down, but also sometimes when Boston controls the puck behind the net. Surely skates are better than knees in that scenario?

Isn’t the book on every goalie in the league to shoot high on them?
I can’t recall the last time a wise and deeply connected insider, like Healy or McGuire-y, has made so bold a statement such as: “XYZ is beatable down low on the Ice.” or “The book on him is to shoot low glove.”

Well, the text book play on pretty much every goalie in the NHL is to shoot low, stick-side, about 1-1.5′ off the ice. Those ones are murder, especially on butterfly goalies.

Failing that, you always try to pick the top corners.

What you don’t want to see are 5-hole goals…that is usually a mechanical issue, although it can be a sign of poor defensive play as well as you can usually get a goalie to open his legs if you have enough time in front of the net to deke them.

I agree with that sentiment when the puck is out in the middle of the ice. But when it is over at the boards, below the face-off circle, playing the percentage is to stand up. There is no angle for the puck to go far-side, so why give them that space up top?

This is simply a flaw in Price’s game. Every elite goalie has one. Martin Brodeur, who was right there with Hasek for the best goaltender in the game from 1995-2005, had a strange penchant because of his hybrid style for giving up stinkers from the goal-line: players were trying to bank the puck in off his leg or sktate.

I admit that it is highly anomalous to see 3 goals from that same spot in 6 games…that is just some statistical bad luck. But it is certainly not playing the percentages to be down on your knees when the puck is on the boards that low in the offensive zone.

Agreed. I have not seen Price let in a bad goal yet against Boston. He has made all the routine saves, and has made about 10 on otherwise sure-fire goals. The 3 that Bruins scored late in game two were a result of undetermined play in front of him, not his own reaction or positioning.

1 – Bourque didn’t force Hamilton or get in front of the shot;
2 – Deflection off Bouillion that had eyes of its own;
3 – Total breakdown with no-one covering or able to tie up the LH shooting RW.

Time for the forwards to play in the Boston zone. Heck, time for the rest of the team to pick Price up. And that will only happen if they are willing to push back. They’ll have to take (and hopefully hand out) some physical abuse, but from what I hear, winning the Stanley Cup is well worth it….

Regarding an earlier post saying we need a healthy Prust and Moen….People assume that Prust is hurt because he isn´t playing very well.
Therrien said flat out earlier today that he is fully healthy. I know, I know, he could be lying, but I just think he´s not a second liner, maybe a marginal third liner at best. We moved him up to basically replace Galchenjyuk which isn´t really fair to the guy. Possibly too much has been expected of him simply because we thought that he´d be more dominant against a physical team.
He´s a heart and soul guy, but I may have overestimated him as being a key factor in the series.
Moen, yes I feel bad for the guy, he isn´t what he was, and he wasn´t that great before to begin with; but I don´t think we lose anything by having Bournival in there; we definitely have a more threatening fourth line with Bournie in there.

I’m with this post. Prust should not be on a line that gets top minutes. He is a heart-soul type, but he is not playing that way right now. He needs to focus strictly on chipping, chasing and hitting, not trying to read off of what Plekanec or Gallagher are doing.

That line is actually a bit of a problem IMO, especially with Prust on it. Not one of those skaters is either A) a skilled puckhandler, or B) a playmaker. I’ve been flamed for saying it in the past, but Plekanec is a decent 2-way forward who will score some opportunistic goals, but he is prone to soft play and blind passes to the middle. Gallagher is hard as nails, but he does not have the physical skills or vision to be a great puck possession guy. Galchenyuk does, but obviously he is not an option now.

If they want Plekanec to play a “shut-down” type of role, he should get Moen/Bournival/Weise as wingers and let them go at it. They can chase and pester Lucic and/or Bergeron all over the ice. If they want him to try and generate some offense, they’re gonna need to put a complimentary player there (i.e. Vanek), cause he is not capable of doing it on his own.

WRT Bournival, he has played okay, but he is a bit of a puck-chaser at this stage of his development, and well he is tenacious he will not threaten the Boston D too much. Against the Bruins I think they need Moen’s experience. Which I think would make either Bournival or Weise most likely to sit.

2 Bruins, Boychuck and Lucic have grabbed their crests and pounded their chests immediately after scoring goals.
I wonder if the eminently impartial observer of such transgressions, one Donald S. Cherry, will point this out during a segment of Coach’s Corner, as he unfailingly seems to do when a Hab..read Subban..does it.
I can hardly wait.

While it shouldn’t bother me, what you point out above does. I really just don’t understand how PK’s celebrations are somehow disrespectful (i.e. jersey tugging), but Lucic can pound his chest and slam into the boards and everyone thinks that is just intensity. Doesn’t add up. There must be something everyone is leaving out of that equation.

They interviewed the lucky individual who saw both dogs walking by his house, without leashes.
“It was too coincidental that these two dogs could not have been Price’s.”
He was given a signed stick as a thank you.
Pretty cool.

The only advantage I see with Murray is on the PK, as the Bruins seem to be sticking Chara in front of the crease.
In every other situation Bouillon and Weaver are more mobile and more reliable. The game-tying goal in game 1 doesn´t happen if Murray was in there, for example.
So I guess if you gamble there will be a lot of penalties, you can consider putting Murray in; also, Bouillon can play really well when he gets the odd rest.
On the other hand, Murray will be cold if he comes in and could be a real liability.
So it is a very difficult decision.
Remember, there is hardly any fighting in playoff hockey, so the intimidation factor is not quite as important as it would be during the regular season.
Man, it would be great if Murray was just a tad more mobile.

The Bruins team is an awesome team. Some say we outplayed them in the second game but I don´t see it that way. I think we were completely dominated in the first game, and they slightly outplayed us in the second game. And I say this believing we have a team which can play with anyone in the league when we are on our game…but the bears seem to be just a notch above everyone else right now.
We need to basically play a perfect game the next two games, match up lines perfectly, and get a couple of breaks. We will have the crowd as our sixth man. I don´t see us winning game 5 in Boston.
If it ever got to game 7, there is always the pressure of the favourite to win at home which could help, but we´d still need to get most of the breaks to win.
You win with defence, and the leaks were already visible during the Tampa series. Our offence has good depth and never gives up, but we are one, good (can you say McDonagh) big Dman away from being able to effectively hold a lead against an elite team.

I think this is nail-on-head, Rhino.
Bruins are excellent, but we’ve beaten them during the season and beaten them (very nearly twice) in the playoffs. We CAN beat them.

I was going to say “but only with our A-Game”. On reflection, however, I remembered that that’s not how we won Game 1.

Perhaps the big X-factor is physical attrition levels. If Murray’s presence could slow those down (would it?), then I’d like to see him in (but, likewise, would be terrified by the reduced mobility at the back).

My only reason for preferring Murray right now is the matchup. Against a fleet skating but less physical Tampa team, Bouillion was the better option. Against a Bruins team that will pound you into submission, 6’2″ 250lbs is a good thing to have around your net. I’d say Tinordi if he had more experience this year, ’cause he has the best of both worlds really.

Hmm, Dipsy. Never heard that adage with the knee-thing in it. Did you add it? If you’re not already dead, you’re always on your knees in a fox-hole, faith or no.

And I disagree that Price cost the game. It looks to me that he’s staying on his knees too long (cf last year’s playoffs, same thing), (although interesting counter-argument from GrosBil, 10.06am way down), but no way would I hang Game 2 on him or start worrying that he’s a playoff Luongo/Fleury until LONG after I’d finished worrying about a ton of other stuff.

Morning folks,
Just a quick scan on here indicate that people seem to be pulling the panic chute.

No need.

And I don’t believe that there should be any changes in the lineup, either.

We had the Booboos down 3-1, and fell apart a bit. Okay, quite a bit. But the point is that no single player was resposible for that, and no substitutes would make those goals not happen.

Starting to chop and change the lineup would only start to put doubts in the players’ minds at this stage, and make them wonder if the players they have can get the job done. We were 7 (or whatever) minutes away from taking 2 games home from Boston. We don’t need to start doubting ourselves.

Plus, I’ll be at the game Tuesday, so nobody need worry about anything.

Hola Amigos! Feliz Cinqo De Mayo! A beautiful day here in Eastern Ontario. I heard the Montreal Tactical Squad is on standby for the home games. I used to know a few guys on that squad. As I once told my son when he was in university down there,”if you ever see those guys in formation, RUN!” Saludos!

criticism of price is ridiculous, the habs did not deserve to win either game, if any other goalie is in the net for habs, they are coming home down 0-2. If they don’t dig deep and battle for every puck and every inch of ice, this series will be loss and that will sting all summer, man i hate the bruins. Bunch of whiners.

Do we really need “big” hits on Chara (à la Bickell last year), or — which is more feasible for our squad — just any kind of hits? Seriously, I think he reacts so badly to having his personal space invaded to any degree, that even modest hits are worthwhile. For a captain and star, it seems to me a very serious and obvious achilles heel.

Sorry but I don’t consider my question to be irrelevant.
I’m commenting on the fact that there are those who criticize our elite goaltender.
As I asked, would the team be anywhere near where they are without him?
Would the team have made the playoffs without Max, IMO, is far less relevant.
Why? Because he’s a forward, not the team’s quarterback.
No question, Max’s was a great contribution. But if we look at the current playoffs, including their play against Tampa …..
As in the regular season, there have been “no-shows”. I’m thinking of Eller and Bourque, specifically. Yet these two are playing very inspiring hockey during the playoffs.
DD’s line? Not so much. And yet, Vanek had two goals on Sunday.
You could make a case by breaking down each player’s performance, but the player of any team will only shine as much as the stand-out performance of its goaltender.
So to criticize Price’s performance is, for me, barking up the wrong tree.

Take Max’s 39 goals out of the line-up, and the Habs are out of the playoffs. The Habs have nobody who can replace that.

I hate the “where would the team be without Carey?” argument because it is trite. Without David Desharnais from Game 20 on, the Habs miss the playoffs. He was that good.

Without Max Pacioretty and his 39 goals after a slow start (2 goals in his first 12 games), the Habs miss the playoffs. Guaranteed.

Without Andrei Markov and his solid two-way defensive play, the Habs miss the playoffs. Without P.K. Subban, they are very possibly a lottery team.

Without Tomas Plekanec, the team misses the playoffs. They can’t replace his tough minutes.

Price isn’t the team’s quarterback. He is the goalie. As it turns out, goaltender is probably the least important position on the ice for a regular season team (and I fully expect to get torched for this). This is how team’s like Philadelphia constantly make the playoffs despite shoddy goaltending that gets exposed in the playoffs.

This is how Marc-Andre Fleury can have such amazing stats and yet not be even remotely considered as one of the best in the business…we know that he’s shaky in the playoffs.

Nashville missed the playoffs by 2 points while fielding a rotation of goalies that played terribly. Minnesota struggled with their goaltending all season, yet they finished 2 points back from the Habs in the standings.

I’m not denying that Price was phenomenal this season. I’m just arguing that his reputation, undeserved as it may be, is that he is a regular season performer that hasn’t yet carried his team through a round of the playoffs like most of the guys considered to be the elite, clutch goaltenders in the league.

Like you, I think Price is top-5. I’ll even say that he is top-3 this season (with Rask and Lundqvist, Price and Quick sitting in a pile for 2-4).

Price was not particularly great against Tampa Bay, but the Habs didn’t need him to be. He was very good in Game 1, less so in Game 2. If the Habs are going to beat a Bruins team that has shown itself to be pretty dominant, they need Price to be a bit better than he has been.

Yes but, I think he means “replace Carey with most goalies.” We might be able to replace a number of those other guys that you mention easier. I am not saying that he’s right, but I think it is his opinion that Carey was that good that he was a big difference maker — the most important player on the team.

As for your other point, it’s true that some teams make the playoffs with lesser goalies, but I don’t think the Habs would.

But I will say that missing Subban for a season could easily cost the Habs 10 wins. We’ve seen similar struggles by elite teams, the most notable of which being the 2009 Penguins, who were 27-24-5 without Sergei Gonchar, but 18-4-4 with him. The Red Wings record over the years without Lidstrom was dismal. Ditto for the Habs over the years without Markov. The Flyers imploded when they lost Chris Pronger.

Well, lots of varying opinions, all I know is Habs are 5 and 1 in the playoffs and appeared to nearly have game 2 won.

Hopefully team picks up the slack where they had letdowns and can win Game 3. Just as MT says, there is momentum in hockey and the Habs to swing it back in their direction. To me Game 3 is critical, falling behind the Bruins in games will be very very hard to come back from both physically and mentally.

Hope the team comes out strong tomorrow and hopefully Price can continue his strong play.

habs are playing too timid, you have to want the puck, like chris nilan has said. There is a huge difference between playing because you want to win versus playing because you would like to win. I hate the bruins more than anything, but their desire to win i am envious of.

Tough crowd here. Carey plays out of his mind, lets in a couple of fluke goals, and he’s taken to task. He has made some amazing saves in these two games and held his team in the game against a dominant opponent. I don’t think there’s a goalie in the league who would have done better.

There may be a tiredness factor though. When your team is under constant pressure and you’re up and down all of the time, maybe you lose a little sharpness because he puts in a huge amount of work even when no actual shot gets through. When 100 shots or so are taken, it’s an awful lot. This becomes a team issue.

Someone has said that he’s crouching a lot. I think he has to to try to track the puck through all of the traffic. Give the bears credit; they are doing what it takes.

I don’t buy the tracking argument…he’s crouching low even when there isn’t traffic. He’s not playing like Carey Price in this round, he’s playing more like Jonathan Quick. Those three goals from the boards are what bother me. I wasn’t crazy about the Krug goal, and the Hamilton bomb from the point was stoppable.

But you can’t give up goals from the boards. Yes, they were all seeing-eye shots and/or were deflected. But let’s be honest…how many other goals have you seen in the highlights from that angle in these playoffs?

Price has played fantastically well, but he’s had hiccups. The Habs played fantastically well, but they’ve had consecutive 3rd period hiccups.

Somehow, a split which should have been a victory feels more like a loss for me right now. Game 3…if the Bruins get that one, I think this series is over. Montreal pretty much have to take Games 3 and 4 on home ice to get some doubt in the minds of the Bruins, who have shown that they are a very resilient team.

Anything less, and the doubt is in the Canadiens players’ minds, and they have shown that their resilience in the playoffs is a bit questionable in the past.

Sure. But like I said…why aren’t all the other goalies similarly unlucky? 3 from that spot in 6 games, and all because Price was unnecessarily on his knees.

We can never be sure, but I would bet that that shot does not go in on Rask because he is on his feet in that situation. It doesn’t go in on regular season Carey Price either, because Price normally is on his feet when the puck is over there.

Look, the Habs didn’t melt down! there were a few events that lead to the momentum change.

With the score 3-1 Habs, Rask came way out to play the puck and ended up freezing it near the hash marks, you could see the ref giving him a tuning about that play and not calling the delay of game penalty which should have been called, 100% of the time.

Big break for the unraveling Bruins, had 1 shot in the 3rd at that point and the Habs PP was on fire.

Hamilton gets a lucky goal through 4 bodies and the bruins realize the game isn’t over and start to press.

The Habs are defending quite well and it is a matter of time before the win is in the bank.

Then, Bergeron throws a puck toward the net! likely going into the chest of Frankie 2-3′ wide.. For some reason he tries to move out of the way and deflects the puck top corner… Terrible break for the Habs.

The go ahead goal, Price gets his foot caught on the post and can’t make the easy save, one that Subban could have taken off the chest had he just stayed still… Bruins lead.

Linesman gets in the way during a Habs zone entry and b’s back the other way and ice it… With a chest beating celebration the game is over.

Disagree. The Habs had the game on cruise control, everything was going well, and then they imploded.

The coaches know it and the players know it. You can’t coast in the NHL…it will burn you against the cellar dwellers like the Islanders (as Habs fans had to endure a few times this season), it will doom you against the also-rans like Carolina or Vancouver, and it is suicide against a bona fide Stanley Cup contender like the Bruins.

3 goals in 5 minutes constitutes an implosion. 3 goals in 7 shots is the kind of stat that gets goaltenders pulled.

Being outshot 8-2 in the final 10 minutes, with your only shots coming on a 61 foot snap-shot by Emelin and a 76 foot wrister from the neutral zone by Pacioretty is an implosion. Not only was there no push-back, there was simply nothing from the Habs.

But come on…we can give them credit while not putting lipstick on the pig that was the Habs play in the final 10 minutes.

They played like one might expect a junior team would play against the Stanley Cup champions. I have the utmost respect for the Bruins, but the Habs had been handling their play for most of the game. Then, and I can never put my finger on why, the Habs give up a couple (or, in this case, three) quick goals and all that good play is erased.

2 awful long-range shots on net in 10 minutes isn’t good enough, especially when you are getting shelled in your own zone.

Well I was at that game 6 rows behind price for the 2 nd period. He played amazing without him this game wasn’t close . The couple that went in late? Those are on the D. It is very obvious that that is how they will score on him is with a crazy deflection or perfect screen. He is totally focused and quicker than I’ve ever seen him! The Neanderthal bruins fans think the same . They are also so scared of PK it’s hilarious that whole arena holds their breath when he has the puck at the point !

Like we did against T-bay? When u have the puck against Boston, you are a split second away from being hit hard. The cumulative effect of the constant hitting takes its toll. A healthy habs team could withstand this much better than our currently banged-up roster (Prust, Moen may be in the line-up, but they’re not themselves).

If you’re advocating dumping-in rather than carrying the puck into the zone (and being open to big hits, as you point out), wouldn’t we in turn need to be way more physical on the pursuit into the corners? At the moment, that particular aspect of our game is being led by DD (who has me out of my chair every time he contests for possession with Chara et al). As others have pointed out, you’d hope to see our bigger forwards do more of this (Eller and Bourque already are).

On the other hand, if we could handle the Boston forecheck better and move the puck more efficiently and quickly out of our own zone, carrying the puck over the Bruins blueline would be safer for us and more dangerous for them as our speedy forwards exploit their slower D. In fact, I thought this was supposed to be the game plan.

It just means second effort for others to get open faster for the pass.! We have to play with the puck more by moving their feet faster, rather than floating at times like Vanic Briere and Patches.
Speed kills not the hits.!

Chris says:
…Would the team have even made the post-season without Pacioretty? Because he’s being criticised (justifiably) for a weaker playoff performance.
—————-
Max hasn’t been that bad.
1 goal 2 assists in 6 games, always playing against the other team’s best defensive players.
In the past 2 games he has had chances to go with 8 shots on goal

I’m actually very surprised about how many goals the Habs have scored against Boston so far.

This is almost the same team (less Seidenberg/Ference) that swept Pittsburgh in 4 games last year giving up only 2 goals in those 4 games.
The Pittsburgh PP went 0 for 15 in those 4 games.

Crosby-Malkin-Neal-Letang-and Cup chaser Iginla were held to zero goals and zero points.

Criticizing our guys in this series is ridiculous. Trying to score against the NHL’s number 2 defensive system, and, at the same time, trying to defend against the third best offence is a chore in itself. But, trying to do so against arguably the toughest line-up in the league is daunting.

Our guys, Max included, are fighting the good fight. They’re getting no help in the physical department, as our tough guys are either playing injured or not playing.

I don’t believe we are capable of outplaying the Bruins, but we could still win if Price makes it so. Regardless, I’m proud of the gutsy effort put forth by our under-sized, work-in-progress team.

What more could we ask of them under the circumstances? The are twice the team they were 2 years ago.

And, following on from your last point, there’s every reason to hope that in 2 more years we will be twice again the team we are now.

And Boston, having a good young core now also, will still be around, too. No sign of this rivalry diminishing.

Hopefully people don’t actually mean to criticise players. Rather, they mean to observe that so-and-so is not hitting, or is shooting too much, or coughing up the puck, any of which can be valid observations.

One thing worth keeping in mind is that the Habs — players and coaches — are surely hungrier than all of the HIO commentariat put together. So if someone is not hitting etc, it’s for a reason we aren’t inside enough to know about.

This has the makings of a long series and the Bruins are punishing the habs D physically. I would put in Murray to start pounding some of the Boston forwards. Boulion played 9 minutes. Murray would be fine with that time and also he could probably dish out quite a few hits in that time period.

Sit Prust for White (will never happen) but Prust has stunk this entire playoff and technically the last season and a half. He never seems to be 100%. Being somewhat undersized and leading the league in fights a couple years ago seems to have taken a major tole on his body.

We have to play like it is a Marathon if not by game 6 or so the habs D are going to be a little tentative. We also need to finish our hits on their D. Make them think twice. I would be targeting their young D like Hamilton (took two penalties last game) as well Krug.

Even though the Habs had a melt-down in the third period, the boys still come home with home ice advantage. Therrien will now have the benefit of getting our top line on the ice at opportune times. The key for the top line is that they need to start playing with the same intensity as their diminutive centre.

Another important consideration would be giving Eller and Bourque more ice time. Use these two guys to forecheck like mad and create opportunities. I think that this line has earned the right to play some power play minutes as well and that would include Eller, sorry Plekanec.

Not that I’m recommending it, but if the Habs spent one entire period doing exactly all the face-washes, cross-checks, late hits and interference that are essential to the Boston game plan — and I mean initiating it, not retaliating — we would of course be penalised for every one. It would stand out, like Mother Superior suddenly dropping F-bombs.

But would the refs then feel much more obliged to call the Bruins for the same infractions?

We have such a good PK, and denying a team’s PP is such a great ball-breaker, that it’s kind of tempting in a “Longest Yard” kind of way… (But I’m still not recommending it).

Sorry, realized I didn’t address your comment after I finished this post.

I love hockey, and I’m not going to turn my back on the game. The NHL is making me question the purity of the sport. Penalties that are never called (with the exception of injury) are charging, boarding, and late hits.

Charging is more than three direct strides before contact, this occurs dozens of times during every game.

Boarding is defined as using the boards to increase devastation of a hit, again occurs dozens of times during a game.

Late Hit (Interference) in my opinion, is any time a player is body checked while not having possession of the puck. This is the problem with having goons and pluggers contesting the media, they refer to late hits as “finishing your check.” What the hell does finishing your check mean? Call it what it is, hit the player despite the fact he has already moved the puck.

Any time a player delivers a body check when the purpose is not to separate a player from the puck it should be penalized in my opinion. It would take no more than a couple of games for the culture to change.

Take the NBA and NFL models as examples. In the NBA the rules are set in a manner that allows talent to rise to the top, they call fouls constantly on pluggers against stars. In the NFL QB’s were dropping like flies in the late 90’s and every year of the new millennium they’ve been tweaking the rules to protect the eagles most valuable assets. Hockey is the exact opposite, the rules are enforced in a manner that closes the gap between pluggers and Superstars, it’s sickening.

If I were in charge, there would be an instigator penalty on every fight (one for each player in fights that are “staged”). The instigator penalty would be a game misconduct, and that tally would have an additional 2 games added to it for each occurrence (0-2-4-6-8-10). Remember, mandatory instigator.

Also, when a team has a player suspended they DO NOT get to replace him in their roster.until the suspension has been served.

After every game is complete, all penalties (called or not) will be released to the public, with running tallies on players that “get away with penalties” so refs know who to keep an eye on.

Diving would be a game ejection as well, similar to instigator with 1 game tacked on each time.. This would also be called after games if missed by the officials.

There would be no more “free for all” in front of the net after a shot. Penalties would be called. Same for after whistle scrims and hits, every infraction is called.. Double and triple minors as well (or instead of triple minor a 10 minute misconduct + double minor)

“Do you even watch hockey?”
“Hey, if you don’t like it, try curling.”
I keep meaning to add one of those as my signature! Brace yourself, MacD!

But seriously, I sing from the exact same hymn-sheet as you. Problem is as I see it, that unlike the NBA and NFL as you point out, the NHL is not confident that skill generates more income than dirty play, injury and retaliation. So that’s what they endorse.

Another problem appears to be that the NHLPA is reluctant to make changes as well. I can’t get my head around that one.

These are the things that bothered me playing full contact hockey. I don’t care if anybody disagrees which this.. But could you imagine Pat Kane in a league that properly enforced the rules? Man, it’d be impressive..

Exactly, re. Kane. Imagine all the league’s most skilled players competing in a league where teams were forced to contain them by means other than injuring them. It’s a version of hockey that the hockey league doesn’t believe makes money.

It is even worse than you suggest with charging…they changed the rules so the old “3-stride” rule was updated to:

“Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance traveled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner. A “charge” may be the result of a check into the boards, into the goal frame or in open ice.”

This was to take into account the guys like Colby Armstrong who would spring from centre ice, coast at top speed for a few feet, and then smash an unsuspecting player coming around the net.

If you are lining a guy up from across the ice and have no cares whatsoever about the placement of the puck, it is charging. To make the rule easier to call, I’ve long lobbied that any body-check must require the player to be making an attempt for the puck. Failing that, at least enforce that the blade of the stick be on the ice during the hit, which forces guys into a different body position.

Yeah, I didn’t choose proper language, sure. And I agree with the stick being in the ice! the reason hits are so high is because players receiving hits give the hitter gloves to the face.. I’d love to see all hits with players having their hands at their hips.. And if the person receiving the hit gets his hands up. It’s a roughing call.

Not in recent years. Refs used to be call it once in a while in the 80’s and 90’s to keep guys from taking those long runs.

The real problem started when neutral zone infractions were cracked down on. That meant that a defenceman fielding a dump-in was now getting absolutely creamed because his partner was no longer allowed to run interference as had always been done in the past.

They’ve tried to ‘soften’ the boards and glass, and eliminate blind-side hits, but this is probably where the bulk of the concussions are coming from…defencemen just get creamed on play after play, more often than not after the puck has been played.

But I can’t help but point out that there were some awfully gleeful Price fans at Quick’s struggles, yet nary a word of compliment has been paid to him for deciding that he wasn’t losing a 4th game.

Roy had that swagger…he didn’t always play like a playoff god, but you were going to have to work your tails off to get that 4th win in a series against Roy.

Price is a phenomenal goalie, playing very well in these playoffs. But the team desperately needs him to stop a couple of those “freaky” goals.

I’ve pointed out Brent Seabrook’s quote a few times regarding Jonathan Toews and his 10-game goal scoring slump last season:

“To be completely honest, I was sick and tired of hearing everybody talk about everything that Johnny’s doing right,” Seabrook said. “He’s a great player. He’s one of the best in the league, and I just told him that he’s got to stop thinking about that, too. He’s got to stop thinking about everything that he’s doing right and stop worrying about not scoring goals. He’s got to score goals for us. He’s a big part of our team.”

In the same vein, I’ve long since gotten tired of hearing how Price is doing everything right, that he’s playing amazingly well, but his team lets him down. Bollocks to that. This series against the Bruins is Price’s defining moment…either he stands on his head, as all elite goalies do, and helps as good of a Habs team as Montreal has seen in probably 10 years, or he bears some of the blame for the team limping out of the playoffs.

The Bruins are undeniably a great team. I’m not even requiring that the Habs win the series, because Boston is that good. But Price needs to give up zero soft goals…the Habs are simply not superior enough to the Bruins to continue conceding 1 soft goal per game.

Rask has given up one soft goal so far in two games, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that is all he gives. He is that good.

Price is also that good. I fully expect to see no more soft goals from a guy that, up to now, has been top-3 on the planet this season.

Looking at the number of goals the Bruins have scored in the third period this season. I’m wondering if the constant hitting takes its toll and finally a beaten up team just sort of collapses later in the third period, as we did last game?

Preparing for the Bruins’ excellent 3rd period onslaught
Eliminating the trailer
Clearing our crease (ie. inserting Murray)
Breaking/Passing out of our zone
Hitting Chara in his corner (so he loses focus and gets tired)
Exploiting Boston’s young D
Getting more out of Vanek and Pacioretty

Get that killer instinct that we need against these thugs. Last game, it looked like we didn’t want to win the game at the end of the second period PP. We just skated around and looked lethargic. That’s when I started getting the sense the game would turn. Even when we were leading, we weren’t LEADING.

Ha! Your last sentence — it’s such a terrible feeling. Remember the 1980s Denver Broncos? All teams visiting Mile-High would get that feeling even when up 2 TDs after the 2-min warning!

With the Habs, doesn’t it have to be psychological? Even for pros, is it hard to keep pushing on offense, as if you need goals, when you actually have the lead and feel inclined to protect it? I know JM actually instructed his team to protect leads (the nightmare of Premiership and Italian soccer). But is MT the same? Didn’t we all play for coaches who told us at half-time of games we were winning, “It’s zero-all.”?

Anything that allows the Habs better defensive coverage in their own zone.
Pierre McGuire made a good point this morning that the Habs 3rd pairing of Weaver-Bouillon was on against the Bruins 2nd line of Reilly-Bergeron-Marchand for the tying goal. With under 6 minutes left and a 1 goal lead that matchup can’t be allowed.
Having last change would help alleviate that problem at home.

____________________________________________________
“You are not T.J. Oshie. Do not shoot pucks at people without a helmet.”.

That’s PM…look over the game sheet and propose how he would have addressed it. Montreals issue right now is Max Pac……well not totally but man he is about as useless as they come so far. He shys away from contact…is he a afraid of getting hurt. This is a powerful skating big forward who is contributing nothing…absolutely nothing. Anyone who thinks differently is blind or stupid. MT may want to demote him before the playoffs are over for the Habs. So now you have Vaneck and Max floating around while little DD tries to dig the puck out of the corners fopr them. I don’t think I have ever been so disappointed in a player as I am Max right now. What a waste of a talent.

Is it beyond the realm of possibility that the Bruins are doing an amazing job against that line? You can’t just blame Patch when he’s being defended well. However, great players do find a way to have an impact no matter what the circumstance, but man, you are quite negative.

So you don’t have a problem with that match-up?
3rd defense pair against the second line?
“That’s PM…look over the game sheet and propose how he would have addressed it. ”

He’s standing between the benches watching up close and personal.
Whatever your problem with McGuire is that ad hominem attack by you adds nothing to the discussion.
A guy who has worked as an NHL coach and is now a veteran analyst who is 30 feet away can’t make an accurate observation?
Is your hockey acumen that much better than his?

____________________________________________________
“You are not T.J. Oshie. Do not shoot pucks at people without a helmet.”.

As usual, the fans “DO NOT” want the lines changed no matter what! If Therrien dare do anything with the lines he’s and idiot and he should be fired ;-). Sometimes I agree with switching them up and sometimes don’t. I’d be OK with moving Pacioretty off the #1 line and putting Bourque there and see what happens, that’s just me.

I would still not put Murray in there. I think the defence and Carey Price were a bit guilty of looking a head. They took their foot off the gas a tiny bit and it cost them against an awesome team like Boston.

If Bouillon and/or Weaver have a rough time in game 3 maybe you bring in Murray or Tinordi. However, those guys would be ice cold and that could be dangerous too.

Thanks, Hobie. I know you like size and grit, so if you’re saying keep Murray out for now, I’ll keep my powder dry. But seriously, he must be DYING to get in and provide some physical pushback. If actual hunger counts for anything….

Ron how do you see Chara as a huge influence on the first line when they are not even trying to get involved….Chara is not superman and shouldn’t be used as a reason why a complete line fails to show up in important games. He is seriously slow and not as talented as the talking heads like to point out. I PVR most Habs games and watch them a second time and if they want to pay the price they can beat this team in this series but with two out of three of our first line floating out there and B Prust declining to get involved it puts us in a tight spot. Chara is not as big an influence as some suggest. He just isn’t. He has one stinking point in 2 games…give me a break. Have you listened to Chicago Toews say how he can be taken advantage of…..I see this time and time again.

Re Toews
I actually posted his quotes yesterday…and mentioned it would take a big guy with big courage to put a big hit on Chara.
Bickell did that in Game 4 last year of the Cup final and the Hawks won Games 4-5-6…and Chara was Minus 6 in those last 3 games.

Honestly, that is somewhat of an irrelevant question. Would the team have even made the post-season without Pacioretty? Because he’s being criticised (justifiably) for a weaker playoff performance than what we saw in the regular season.

Price has unfortunately and somewhat unfairly carried a reputation as being a regular season performer whose playoff play is much less than elite. I don’t think he is playing poorly right now, but neither is he playing out of his mind. There are 5 games left for Price to finally erase that legacy from the minds of his detractors, as this series is the one he needs to win.

Patches and Vanek’s efforts on the ice could be a lot better. As in dishing out the hits and not being the recipient all the time. They both are good sized wingers and the one playing the toughest on the line is DD. Not really acceptable considering the playoff efforts of Eller and Bourque, the Habs other forwards with some size.

Looking forward to updates from practice today. I’m not convinced we will see any significant lineup changes, with the exception of Moen returning in place of Bournival.

Something to consider, although I’m not sure it holds any weight; the only players I recall seeing in the warm up were Tinordi, White and Moen/Bournival. It likely doesn’t mean anything, but I wonder if that’s the order of replacements? Otherwise, perhaps it’s simply a situation where veterans like Murray aren’t required to go through this process. Funny, Tinordi is actually the second guy out behind Price. At the end of the day if the coach doesn’t trust you to play game 81 of the regular season, at home, against the Isles, than I’d suggest there’s almost no chance he trusts you in game three against the Bruins. The lineup is what it is. There’s no magic bullet…..

I’m hoping Price has gotten some needed rest and mental recovery time. The loss is certainly not on him, but I’m sure he’s mentally exhausted. He’s been lights out in the first two periods and overtime, but the third period continues to be a concern. I hate to be this guy, but our small team seems to be effective through 40 minutes, than the physical wear and tear seem to take their toll and we start being second to the puck. The playoffs are a different animal and it’s a big man’s game. It’s. It surprising that Bickell is a playoff warrior. He’s built to succeed in the postseason. The game is just so different. Funny, I recall a penalty in the regular season for a shirt tuck violation. Last night I watched Hagelin interfere with Malkin – an obvious penalty in the regular season, go unpenalized. The style perfectly fits the Bruins style and we need to adjust. To this end, I love PK, but never mind apologizing to Thorton. He should have ducked him, than punched him in the back of the head a la Marchand.

Enjoy the day everyone. The extra day off should just help build the atmosphere tomorrow night. On this note, if anyone else is going to the game, or around the downtown core, I’ll be in the city by 4:30. Cheers, CJ

Hi CJ. I was reading your posts from yesterday regarding fan behaviour. It very much reflects the mind set of today’s society. There is very little courtesy, awareness and respect left. Its reflected in the quality of TV, advertising etc. I watch virtually no TV other than selected Blueray movies I may be interested in and hockey. I did notice the several times I watched TV how being dumb seems to be cool? I guess with that kind of social engineering via the media and mainstream news, it should be little wonder that there is so little good judgement vis a vis a semblance of acceptable social behaviour. Having been in arenas from the 1950’s on, I can see a huge change in both society and fan behaviour over that span.

Could not agree more. Our society is growing uglier by the day. Instant gratification, narcissism and apathy have all crept into our daily being creating a collective dysfunction and barriers that will not be undone without a major shock to the system bringing us back together for the greater good. So much potential, so much abuse.

Agree with both you guys.
Then I stop and reckon we sound like a broken record. People who were our age in the early 50s (advent of TV, Elvis, first generation of “teenagers” with money and attitude) were saying the exact same thing!

Price is no different than the other goalies you mentioned. They’ve all, to a man, given up goals that could be considered soft in these playoffs. Quick was average for three games. Very average. They also, each and every one of those guys, tend goal behind a much better defence.

Put Carey in Chicago, LA, Anaheim, Boston, Pittsburgh, San Jose or St Louis and you could give them Lord Stanley’s Cup. It’s a wash with NYR. They’re not a true contender.

Carey looked shaky last game as he was in Game 1 in TB, I will grant you that. But I very much doubt the results would be substantially different with any other goalies you mention. Now St Pat in his prime or Marty or Hasek, well that’s a different story… But those guys were all time greats. Jury is still out on Carey, but he needs a better support. GHG

@habcertain.
Thanks for your post, which of course I read. I read all your posts.
Your points are all valid, and I am a part-time member of the police force you mention! Indeed, I thought about precisely the issues you referred to before posting, weighed it all up, and eventually decided to fire ahead. Maybe on a free forum there needs sometimes to be a cost for being antisocial, obnoxious, ill-mannered and arrogant? Jlgib has been all those things at different times, to the detriment of his otherwise sometimes interesting hockey viewpoints. (As evidence, see his reply to me, in which he elects to make reference to my children!)

I’d take you up on just one thing. You say I was dismissive. Perhaps you’re right, but in my mind it was more “calling out” than dismissive. Otherwise, I accept your post was bang on.
Cheers

A lot of player playoff chatter is psychological warfare, yet a few words from Torey Krug and Doug Hamilton (sorry, have trouble with Dougie) show exactly what the Bruins are trying to accomplish vs. Carey Price.

They basically state that Price is a very good goalie – instinctive – that he covers the lower part of the net well, yet the Bruins are trying to beat him high in 2 different ways.

1) They want to move the puck laterally in the O zone.
The result appears to be Carey on his knees moving laterally leaving the high part of the net open.

2) They want multiple screens and traffic.
They state when that happens, Price goes into a very low, crouched position trying to look through the maze of players. Again, this leaves the top part of the net open if a shot gets through.

Some will say BS – yet after reviewing all the 7 goals including a fluke, a deflection and 3 cross bars, ALL of the goals scored against Price have been on the high side in the exact manner they describe.
All his great saves have been below the waist for the most part.

It will be interesting to see if this trend continues, yet more importantly how the Habs Dmen and 5 man units adjust clearing the shooting lanes and being more aggressive on the puck

During last year’s playoffs I was taken to one side and spoken to quietly but firmly after suggesting Price stayed on his knees too long!

They know better than I, so I had then — and still have — no basis for doubting them.

So this has made it extra interesting that in the earlier part of the season, and perhaps following the influence of Waite, Price seemed to be returning to his skates much quicker after going to his knees.

Has he regressed? Did Waite travel to Boston? If Bruins are openly declaring where they believe is best to shoot on Price, then maybe the knee thing remains a real issue.

Shooting through screens is a scoring fundamental, nothing unique to beating price. Several of the Habs goals were scored in the same manner. Bergeron’s game 7 tying goal was the same against the Leafs. Not much any goalie can do in that situation. It is one of the the downsides of blocking so many shots. The ones that get through are really tough on the goalie. Luongo talked about how it was a tough transition to play for a Tortorella team because he couldn’t see the puck as well as with the system under Vigneault where the players would get out of the way and let him see it. Boston also happen to be one of the best teams in the league for going to the net.

Hi Phil.
Well observed, and this increases my hope to see Murray in the line-up. However, there have been very well-argued cases here for sticking with the current D. I wonder what you and MRonn think? And has anyone heard anything about possible changes? Is Last Change a huge factor in those decisions?

I hink it is a tough call because despite his detractors, Cube has played well. I think I would put Murray in though. I think they could use his physical presence and punish the Bruins somewhat. He’s a vet, so he can handle the pressure but they would have to manage his minutes.

I agree about Bouillon playing well.
What we’d gain in net presence with Murray we’d lose in overall mobility and the amount of ice covered. Hobie addresses the Muray question above. We’ll just have to wait and see what MT does.

OK maybe not in the room, but walking down the street – and it still bears pointing out.

Carey Price’s play in the playoffs. Specifically his habit of giving up weak goals at the exact worse moment possible.

He did it in 2008 when we outplayed the Flyers but he was a rookie then. He did it again in game 3 against the Bruins in 2011. We had them on the ropes then. And of course he did it against a weak and overmatched Senators team last year.

He’s now given up 3 goals in both 3rd periods.

Saturday he cost us the game. A game that we were about to win. Those two goals by Hamilton and Bergeron were horrible. On his knees beaten by a soft unscreened shot. In the 3rd period. Of a close game.

And please don’t tell me we wouldn’t be there without him. What does that mean? We wouldn’t be there with an empty net? With Peter Budaj?

I agree with you.Price tends to get a pass on here regularly and criticizing him in any way is kind of shunned. Mr.Price has been solid thus far, but has that awful propensity to give up weak, late goals.He’ll be unbeatable through 50 minutes and then let in a couple of softies with a few minutes left.That’s becoming one of his trademarks.That goal by Hamilton(I think it was him) was a very weak one that he should have saved.It could have made the difference between a win and a loss.

Morning, Ed.
I guess you weren’t among the ones who took me aside last year! So I nervously agree with you about Price and his knees.
However, your post begs a question! Who, in the NHL, ever plays a perfect game?

It is strange…in both of the Boston games, Carey Price has been playing smaller than I’ve ever seen him play. I’ve talked to other friends who are goalie afficionados (I am not) and they noticed it as well. I can’t remember ever seeing Carey Price playing in such a low crouch.

As Ed pointed out, Price has always had a tendency to go down early and stay down too long when the team is running around. I know that they are perfect shots, but how many times do you see elite goalies beaten short-side, over their shoulder, from the boards below the face-off dot? That is a shot that Carey Price pretty much stops every time, yet he’s now given up 3 in 6 games (Stamkos, Bergeron, Smith).

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the losses are on Price…they aren’t. Those are team implosions. But I will also freely admit to a few salty phrases thrown Carey Price’s way during the playoffs at some of the odd (and soft) goals he’s been giving up.

The Habs D didn’t fail to clear pucks from the zone at a rate 10% lower than in the TB series. The Habs forwards often failed to pick up the br00nz trailer when they entered our zone. The Habs forecheck proved to be less effective than against TB. The Habs top line failed to produce much of a 5 on 5 threat.

The br00nz didn’t play better, didn’t push harder, didn’t dig deeper, and come up with an excellent effort.

Pardon me for saying this but you’re nuts. Three of the goals given up on Saturday were deflections that he had ZERO chance on. On Thursday he single handedly won the game for the team. If you want to blame someone blame Boullion. Either block the shot or get the f* out of the way. That’s the guy to blame for Saturday.

Can somebody please tell me what exactly was so wrong with the ‘old’ Therrien for occasionally being vocal/emotional behind the bench and calling out his team for lousy/listless play in press conferences?

MT is still very frank in his observations. He has matured with age and doesn`t continue to act out immaturely. But, he doesn`t hesitate to sit down someone who is not contributing and is a detriment to the team. Even there, he does it judiciously, only if he thinks that it is the best way to motivate the player.

I just posted below about John Kordic, went strolling down memory lane on YouTube. In one ‘action sequence’, before the start of hostilities, the ref is about to drop the puck, and the centreman is Shayne Corson, flanked by Mike McPhee and John Kordic.

Those were the days. We’re a much smaller/nicer/softer team now. Too bad Prust is injured and a shell of his former self and we don’t have 3 other players like he played 2-3 years ago (and a few inches taller…i.e. perfect for the playoffs).

“A word on Subban: Most professional athletes are considered role models whether they’re worthy of the label, or not, and he just happens to be one of the few you truly would want your kids to look up to. You can push past the bravado and strong confidence (often perceived as cockiness) that pushes him to be the best on-ice version of himself, and recognize just how well he was raised and how mature he truly is.

He’s an elite performer, who has found his best game at the most important time to find it. He never cheats himself or his team, because he’s got an ironclad work ethic and a clear dedication to constantly build on his God-given gift.

Subban’s also an elite person of unimpeachable character, who–in the face of flagrant and disturbing controversy–paid no mind to the ignorance of outliers, and credited the Bruins, their fans and the people of Boston for their defense of him in spite of the rivalry that he’s at the centre of, insisting they not be painted with the general perception that they’re intolerant or accepting of such nonsense. It was the type of reaction most would struggle to come by, but the type you’d expect from Subban, especially if you knew him. He allowed more and more people to know what kind of person he is with his comments Saturday, and that’s a blessing. People should know what he stands for, because he’s someone people of all ages should admire.”

lot’s of discussion about roster choices. I believe our line-up should be determined by how effective players are against our current opponent. The Bruins and T-bay are very different rosters. Just because a free-agent got signed for 4mil. per season doesn’t mean he should start against the Bruins.

Gimme White (if healthy), Tinordi, and Murray, sacrifice Weaver, cube, and either DD or Briere. It may sound crazy, but I’d love to see Leblanc get a crack too.

Here are a couple of projects that I wish I had the technical know-how to undertake, but I’m sure there are a few bright kids for who this would be a breeze, and they could have fun with it, and maybe turn the tide, restore some sanity.

1) Edit a video of a game between the Bruins and nos Glorieux, and add in a pinball score counter, or video game points, whichever, to keep track anytime an infraction occurs. Keep a running tally during the entire game. When Zdeno Chara grabs Max Pacioretty, holds him by the collar, bats him around the head, then throws him down, that two for holding, two for roughing, and two for roughing again. So you get Bing! Bing! Bing!, 2, then 4, then 6 minutes, in red probably, since that’s a debt owed by the NHL to us. Then Kevan Miller crosschecks Brendan Gallagher six times in the back during a puck battle, Bing! Bing! Bing!, that’s six times 2 minutes for crosschecking, by the time the points are counted another twelve minutes are added.

And so on, for whatever Sean Thornton charge or Brad Marchand slash is missed, until at the end of the game the Bruins are a hundred minutes or so in arrears, and we have thirty or fourty on the board. Cool feature, when a penalty is actually, finally called, a big green 2 minutes appears, with an ovation and fanfare and confetti, and the total is decreased by the corresponding two minutes.

It would end the discussion that refs ‘let them play’, and that ‘they let a lot of stuff go’, that it all evens out. It would be objectively clear that the Bruins are getting a free pass, that they’re allowed to cheat more, that’s how they win. It would be the harsh light of reality, and it would be fun to watch the cockroaches scatter. I would love to see Bruins fans foaming at the mouth, trying to counter this, explaining away various Brad Marchand spears as minor spears, in the grand scheme of things.

2) I think NHL Head Office got wind of this the first time I posted on this, and they’ve scrambled to rectify the imbalance, because lately we’ve had a few calls go our way, some of which left us dumbfounded. But anyway, I don’t know where to find this information, but I’m sure it’s available somewhere, namely the number of decisions made by the war room in Toronto for or against the Canadiens.

My hypothesis is simple. With enough decisions being made, every team should roughly be on the favourable end of decisions 50% of the time, and lose the other 50%. So most teams in the league, over the seasons, once enough calls get made, should tend towards that 50% score.

So do they? Or did we in the past regularly end up on the losing end of these video reviews. Reviewed in Toronto. I’d like to check on that, and on the Leafs and the Bruins score, just because I’m curious. Like I said, I’m sure this data is available somewhere.

3) The above analysis is easy to perform, since the results should be cut and dried, but the next one is more problematic. It’ll be more anecdotal, but I’d like to know what the average length of suspension is for a case reviewed by the Department of Player Safety, and then what that average is for, again, the Bruins, the Leafs, and the Canadiens. Because the Canadiens get suspended, like Ryan White, and Max, and Douglas Murray, for checks to the head, that are heat of the moment, bang-bang plays. But the Bruins, whether it be Andrew Ference, Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic and his recent war against crotches, they skate away clean.

Even if it’s anecdotal evidence, I’d like some numbers to inform the discussion. It would be instructive to see how a team like the Bruins, that prides itself on its toughness, and would probably consider suspensions the cost of doing business, a side-effect of its intimidation tactics, makes out with the Department of Player Safety, under the aegis of Daddy Campbell.

So HIO, is there anyone to take on these projects? Take up our quarrel with the foe. To you, from my technically inept hands, I throw the torch: be yours to hold it high.

Heck, this might even be the basis for an investigative piece by an eager young Gazette reporter…

———————————————————————–My sources are unreliable, but their info is fascinating.–Woody Paige

Well said. Your point #1 is actually beyond frustrating and frightening bc it’s so true and such a subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) advantage for Bruins. The refs can’t call everything. Habs rarely initiate the physical/intimidating/ play and are usually the ones on the wrong ends of borderline viscous hits (vs. the reverse).

I am an MT convert. He wants to remix lines, am all for it. The mountain lion Price getting pushed in by spring bears, I say release the incredible mutant hound Murray who can be inserted in place to rest the bull Bouillon as far as I would like to see. Bears are scary aggressive at first, but back off if pushed back. Lazy bullies

Reno has a good voice, but she sings way too slow and with an affectation. It’s so slow that it’s out of sync with the music and with the crowd singing it. The anthem is basically a sing along, you have to keep a normal pace, not make a night out of it.

Besides, I checked her Corsi/Fenwick scores over at EOTP, and her NPB (notes per beat) is way down from 2012-13. They have charts and graphs proving it.

The only way to keep the clowns in line is to make them pay for their lack of discipline. Dorsett has one dimension. If he costs is team, I’d expect to find him on the bench for long stints as this series moves along.

I have attended Liverpool @ Crystal. Awesome little stadium. Good fans, nothing bad there. I worked in Eng for a lot so that’s why I have attended a lot of these. They won’t be relegated I don’t think. Looks like it will be Norwich

The Bruins are damn lucky to not be down 0-2 at this point. They have been playing from behind the entire series except for a few minutes. The Habs have been able to get a lead or get it back quickly while the Bruins have been forced to scramble, playing from behind. Once the Habs figure out how to play with a lead, it will get tougher for the Bruins. Excuse me if I not impressed with corsi stats when the team is playing from behind most of the time.

I could say the same about the Habs, lucky to have won one of the two Boston tilts.
Bruins out-chanced the Habs by a large margin, they were always first on the puck, constantly forechecking, and playing a very physical and relatively clean (for them) brand of hockey.
Habs were opportunistic, but hardly dominant. I hope the Habs that beat Tampa will show up next game.

…with nothing better to do, and exhausting everything HIO and other Habs sites had to offer this afternoon, I reluctantly went over to E.O.T.P., …Cheshire Cat’s fiefdom, to see if there was anything of interest from some of their writers, many of whom far more reasonable and knowledgeable than The Cat, itself

…hoping, in an optimistic-way, that the site’s dictator has matured

…right off the top what do I find ? …an ‘Open Letter To E.O.T.P.’s Staff’ from someone called Steve/Nova Scotch

…My Goodness, how I miss Robert L.’s sanctuary to Our Habs history, and what E.O.T.P. once represented

“Open letter to EOTP staff.
By Nova Scotch on Apr 4 2014, 12:14a 16

I am a Montreal Canadiens fan.

This is the team I am most passionate about (in comparison to all my favourite sports teams).

I enjoy the information this site offers, but not the discussion.

It would be nice to talk about my most, favourite team in the world, with other like minded fans.

But this is not acceptable here.

If someone likes Michel Therien, Douglas Murray or Francis Bouillion they are ostracized.

If someone argues against puck possession/fancy stats with talk of character, locker room or toughness… ostracized.

Name calling is allowed if you follow the mob mentality.

Once I stood up for someone who was being called an idiot, not just by any person, but by Andrew Berkshire, the person who runs this site. This sets a bad example.

I made a post about not liking this, how we are mostly adults and should be treated as such.

My post was deleted right away and I was issued a warning, told my opinion towards name calling doesn’t matter.

This was very frustrating and I didn’t plan on returning to this site, because of it.

It is a shame that the alternative to HIO isn’t much of an alternative. I find that site populated by rude jerks and the level of discourse overly aggressive. Having an opinion is one thing, but bullying other posters is a non starter for me. What’s the point? At the end of the day, you’d think we’d be united as Habs fans…

I always assumed they were on this site to generate links to their pages and their contribution after a while amounted to little more than trolling and baiting. Glad they used Hickey’s Op-Ed on Theo Fleury to jump on their soapbox one last time and take their negativity elsewhere.

I just wish they had enough class to keep their crass statements contained to their sandpit. When I see their lead editor going onto another team’s fan site to pick fights and troll, I’m embarrassed for our fanbase. What an A-hole. (As an aside… I sense some kind of Freudian frustration there… There’s only one cure for that. Hockey won’t do it. )

Hab in Surrey: It’s the same thing in baseball. The “advanced stats” crowd are like religious zealots. They care more about being “right” with their statistical analysis than they do with following any specific team.

And yes, if you like any player who doesn’t have the right advanced stats, you will be ridiculed, mocked, and shouted down.

I’ve read the exact same arguments on baseball fan sites.

Advanced stats geeks remind me of conspiracy theorists, they are usually obsessed with believing that they have some sort of arcane knowledge, and that everyone else is too stupid to realize their brilliance. All of the believers constantly applaud each other like a giant circle jerk.

The problem with advanced stats is obvious, there are far too many “events” in a hockey game, from my estimates approx 100,000.

Unlike baseball, these events are not “independent events” they are dependant… Meaning if you are providing stats on one particular player, every stat is dependant on the other 11 players on the ice…

In addition to that, each event is likely when the puck moves 5′.. Each pass would have to be scaled on quality, accuracy, if it was made to the proper player.

Also, what if the player is playing exactly how he is coached, but the coach is flawed?

The advanced stats folks need to look at various scientific stats models and realize their data is flawed in the collection process.

Fact is, it is impossible to quantify a hockey player with number. Just to shut up the people that oppose this, tell me how to quantify Stamina, Personality, Team Play, Positioning, Anticipation, Passing Ability, Shooting Ability, Toughness, Offensive-Defensive Awareness…

If you knew the history behind that complaint, had actually been following the comments before this event, been exposed to the continued use of baseless “arguments” dressed up as facts, you may have a different view of the situation.

EOTP, when Lefebvre was running it, was a great Habs history site.
Now, it is a wasteland for geeks who think they know better than the professionals actually running the team. The site isn’t worth a second of anyone’s time, excepting those in full agreement with stats being the be all and end all of hockey. In short, they are deluded folks who believe hockey is played with a slide rule. Don’t waste your time.

You guys should attend soccer game in Europe! Brutal. I have witnessed awful things attending games for FC Barca, Real Madrid, Montenegro national team, England national team, And I am certainly not going to repeat what happened when Ukraine u21 played in Moscow. Soccer fans are by far the worst…

Yikes, I couldn’t imagine. I know it sounds silly, but fan behaviour at games bothers me in general. Citing my most recent example, the guys in front of us at game four were out of their seats and up and down the aisle all night. The play would resume and they would be casually walking up and in no hurry to sit down, to avoid obstructing other’s view. Some people have no sense of their surroundings.

I know I’m being dramatic, but there are fans who would kill for seats to a playoff game, while some guys really appear to care less about the game and more about side conversations. Of course, when a goal is scored they love to jump up and take pictures, posting to their social media. My wife and I laughed talking about it on the way home.

Although I’ve found the environment at the Centre Bell to be a million times better than most arenas. There are lots of different generations, families, and less drunken 30 year old men screaming obscenities for 2 hours.

…during a moment I off-handedly mentioned I would like things wrapped-up for the day as I and My Family would like to sit down and watch a Montreal Canadiens game

…first, they inquire if I’m not ‘a Canucks fan’ …I explain I’m from Montreal, originally, and I never watch the Canucks

…he and his friends wrinkle their brows …he asks if I like soccer ? …I answer only when I need something to put me to sleep …teasing him as I knew likely a central/south american likely was fanatically a fan of soccer

…he tells me kind of seriously I should follow the Canucks because I now live in Vancouver, and he confidently reminds me that soccer is the most popular sport in the World

…I tell him that is only so because the rest of the World has not discovered (ice) hockey

…well, by now there were very deep, unfriendly furls in his brow, and his eyes had violence bursting to get out

…if such an innocent conversation and repartee was causing such emotion in these soccer-heads I can only imagine what they are like in the midst of a game in a stadium

Still bothered by this> Bruins have no idea whom there fans are regardless of what Cam neely or Julien say! ……..fans in the 400$ seats were the ones throwing thrash at our players in both games…………realty is whom ever is prepared to pay the 400$ is a bruin fan. One would think that some of the fans occupying those seats were capable of tweeting negative comments. I would like to think it won’t happen at the bell centre. I hope we don’t boo the US anthem………lets remember what Beliveau stands for and the message he has left us with…….be professional……good things happen to good people!

My father was at a game about 10 years ago when the American anthem was booed. He hasn’t been back since. He was so disappointed.

The racist tweets are brutal, and in some instances can be traced directly to Bruins fans, but I think it’s unfair to label the entire fan base or region for these ignorant opinions. Much in the same way that I would not condone anyone burning, looting or otherwise rioting in Montreal.

Valid no one is labeling no one but I think the bruins should be more selective to whom they sell seats……certainly they must do demographic studies……….that was awful…..having things thrown at your players two nights in row is brutal and indicative of your fan base! Especially if you have them seating in front row seats!

They need to activate the code of conduct policy that’s printed on the back of the stub. If it’s a season ticket holder, suspend the account. Otherwise fine the offender.

There needs to be deterrents. I have zero tolerance for that behaviour. I bring my oldest to games and I’m always so disappointed with the language people use, especially when they see a little boy within earshot. Heck, I watched a father try to take his son to the bathroom at game four, and guys were cutting in front of him. People go to sporting events and absolutely lose their minds. They simply take leave of their senses. Alcohol could be a factor, but even when I’m drunk I like to think I’d know better.

CJ: Speaking of which, what’s the deal with the bathrooms on the upper level? Last time I was at the Centre Bell, in the upper level, I made the mistake of trying to go to the bathroom between periods.

Everyone on one side of the arena was funneled into a small area, where it was almost impossible to move, and then, to make it even worse, we ended up having to walk up a flight of stairs to reach the bathrooms, both men and women.

After finally reaching the bathroom, it wasn’t over, you still had to fight your way back through the same mob, down the stairs, against traffic, to reach your seats again.

I’m not a small guy, and I was gone for the entire intermission fighting my way through the people.

I really couldn’t believe how badly that was designed. Seemed dangerous for a new arena, and god help you if you were handicapped, female, young, or old.

I’ve never sat in the upper level, but that sounds challenging. Montreal has some of the narrowest corridors in the league. The only other arena that compares, of those I’ve attend, is Uniondale. Places like jobbing.com, or the prudential centre are unreal how spacious they are.

CJ: Yeah, it was like, note to self: don’t go to the bathroom here again. lol.

I didn’t mind for myself, but I really felt bad for other people trying to battle through it. Everyone having to climb a flight of stairs to reach the bathrooms seemed crazy to me. Very claustrophobic.

CJ, I was at the Forum in ’95 when the Canadian anthem was booed, and loudly. Talk about being disappointed, mad, embarrassed. Me and the 2 buddies I was there with were ready to fight, but we were slightly out-numbered. The only time my Habs allegiance has wavered. I’m not sure I am describing the emotions accurately, but it was tough for sure.
Habs fans, as a whole, are not without their (our) forgettable moments

In all honesty, I would just as soon do away with anthem singing before sporting events everywhere. Entertainment and politics don’t mix. When I go to a concert, they don’t sing the anthem. I don’t need it before a hockey game.

Galchenyuk is an American citizen, so what are you saying to him by booing his country’s anthem in his “home” rink? What if he had friends or family in the service? How should he feel about the boos? Nothing personal?

It’s an ugly business no matter how you slice it, and I don’t consider it a badge of honor to boo anyone’s anthem.

Again, I don’t like anthems at sporting events for just that reason. But if we must have them, be polite.

There is always a silver lining to every sad story.
Stemming from that pathetic reality a group was created on Facebook to tell P.K. that we support him and denounce racism. It is called appui a P.K…
They wanted to gather 10,000 likes in 24 hours to show our support and say publicly no to racism. In 36 hours they now have 51,000 likes…cool !

National anthems at sports events, jingoistic fodder. I usually cringe, but seriously Ginette Reno twice gave me goose bumps, transmitted and received from a monitor! Dbags are here too, a free country, aloud to poorly express themselves. The run for the cup is a unifier for this city, province, country and beyond borders for the like minded. Riots not welcomed this time around damn it!

I think I’m suffering a little PTSD.
After decades of crappy coaching and roller-coaster GM decision making, I just don’t expect the Habs to do well. When something bad happens like the Boston come-back last game, it’s hard to maintain faith in this team and organization.
I try… but it ain’t easy. For example, no I don’t think Therrien will make any changes, even though I think he needs to. Yes, I think Frankie the Bull will stay and play no matter what happens. And when time comes to pick a new Captain, why do I think it will be the guy who does good radio interviews?
Fingers crossed I’m wrong on all 3 counts.

It’s not all that bad. Could be worse. But yes the next captain will be PC, someone like Gorges.

Montreal is 1 player away from being a top flight team. This team does not have a player like Lucic, Bickell, Neal,etc A nasty tough SOB. Until then it will be hard for this team to go that extra level.,

I’m reminded of Bergie’s quote: ‘Some players help you make the playoffs, and then some players take you through the playoffs’.

Case in point right now: Patches

Big time goal scorer during the regular season. Right now, not so much. He’s playing tentative and getting teed off on by Chara. He should take a page out of Bourque’s book and simplify his game. Chip the puck in and hit warp speed then try to pulverize a Bruin through the boards. He does that and you’d suddenly have Brian Bickell. He wouldn’t even need to fight…

At some point, he’s going to have to figure out that playoff hockey is a different animal. You have limited opportunities in your life to win it all and when they pass by, you need to grab them. If that means changing up your game to add a more physical dimension, then so be it. Patches needs to figure this out right quick. Lord knows he has the wheels to forecheck and the size to apply Newton’s Law of Motion.

Look at Raffi Torres. He’s a very average player. Come the playoffs, he’s a factor… Bickell is much the same. Go down the list of guys who make a difference in the playoffs, their common denominator is they are physically engaged. Max needs to wake up to that fact and get on with it. Bourque and Eller have. Even Little Davey is in the corners slugging it out. Get on with it and we’ll win this series. Sit on the sidelines playing the perimeter passing game, and we’ll be looking at the wrong result.

If there’s a leader on this team, it’s time they had that chat with Patches. Our best need to be at their best and physically engaged.

Just remind yourself that Boston is capable of collapsing too. Remember game six of the finals last year. Bruins had a 2-1 lead with less than a minute and a half remaining in the game. Chicago put two quick ones behind Rask and sent the Bruins packing.
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I just can`t believe such a comment. With all due respect do you really consider yourself a fan? One frikking loss . ONE and your coat is already turned !

Did you expect a sweep against Boston ? Did the team underperform comparing to what you expected ?
«it’s hard to maintain faith in this team and organization» still rubbing my eyes to confirm i really read that !

If Montreal get eliminated by Boston, I do wish Pittsburgh makes it to see each of those 2 teams give each other the business. Injuries be dammed. Both are dirty but Pittsburgh does it in a sneaky way.

and Murray and White are going to make the difference? come on. We’re playing most of the game on our heels against a better team that is dictating most of the play. We’re basically barely hanging -on and relying on luck and excellent goaltending by Price. It’s not an insult, the Bruins are really good. I think many posters on here are too young to remember what it’s like to have a strong Cup-contending team that can dictate play.

I know…..I see a lotta what your saying.
But I do think those two changes give us a better chance (theoretically in my mind) at this point. But ya all we can do is try our best at stealing this series with whatever is at our disposal.

I like you’re thinking. Let’s roll with this ! I think Prusty is hurt and the advantage of Murray over Frankie Boo is that Bruin forwards will have their heads up coming into the Habs (which is quite often). Weaver is your old time stay at home type D, good shot blocker type guy who never quits. Great pickup MB! I would not play rookies against Boston. They will have them for lunch! The guys have played great so far. Let’s don’t mess it up! If you’ll recall back in the day of Orr and Espo the Bruins were runaway winners and carried the play most of the series then too. As long as Habs can burry their chances they’ll be Golden (or silver whichever you prefer).

“Face Offs. Not much the Habs can do about this. They managed to win the opener even though the Bruins dominated (58% – 42%). Plekanec made up for a badly lost draw on the game tying goal by beating Patrice Bergeron on the power play overtime winner. Montreal barely improved Saturday (46%). Through the first two games, Plekanec is at 41%, Desharnais & Eller are 44% and Daniel Briere at 42%. Without an obvious go-to guy Michel Therrien has to pay attention to detail. Important defensive zone face offs, especially late in a period or late in the game shouldn’t automatically go to Plekanec.”

I thought Mitch’s blog following games 1 and 2 was spot on. Briere and Max need to get into this series. The mountain gets even higher if both players remain spotty. Your best players need to be your best players IMO. Thus far Price and PK are stepping up, but our other best player (Max), IMO, is invisible for stretches of time.

I don’t really have any expectations for Briere, so I’m not disappointed in his play.

Just returned from a month in the deep south and missed all the fuss about PK and the classless Bruin fans. “Mr. Subban you’re a class act for sure”. I hope all the Habs fans at Bell Centre Tuesday give you a standing ovation which you deserve. You have clearly demonstrated that you are the better person. Bruins fans can only wish they had someone like you on their team. Canadiens management would be crazy not to give him a huge jump in pay beginning with next season. Talk about untouchable!

The Bruins fans who posted the racist tweets would be glad to see Iginla and Malcolm Subban gone. I’ve never met a racist who had common sense about it – these idiots hate their Black baseball players, basketball players and hockey players as much as they hate the opposing players who don’t fit their prejudices. They hate their neighbours, their workmates and their fellow citizens. Pop psychology says they even hate themselves. If they don’t, it might be a good idea.

(5) I think it’s likely that Murray sees action in this series. I’d say 67% chance. Parros 0% chance, which is too bad given the only reason we signed him was to use against goon squads like the Bruins. That signing has not worked out, to put it mildly.

For sure we see Murray in this series 100%, and we should see Tinordi at some point. Only because our smaller D’s will need to recover from the wear and tear. Besides Tinordi and Murray can dish it out. See White to replace the injured Prust.

_________________________________________________________
“We know that hockey is where we live, where we can best meet and overcome pain and wrong and death. Life is just a place where we spend time between games.”

1. Yes I’d be shocked. But he should.
2. Weaver stays. Foolish otherwise.
3. Either! Just give us some young legs or we’ll keep getting out-gunned.
4. Briere was good there. But White has jam. I could live with either.
5. One or both HAVE to be used. I shudder…a little but we need more toughness. Something needs to change – has to.
6. YES! See answer to 5. After two games where we were out-played and out-shot even MT has to realize change is needed. I mean, doesn’t he?

1- would not be shocked but both are not ready for prime time .
2-Cube
3-Beaulieu
4-Would give a chance to Whitey
5-Murray 50 % Parros 0%
6-not necessary but i trust him to make the proper choice again. I doubt that Prust is 100 % Cube although very good was not hired to play every game,not sure if Moen should be inserted back in the lineup. As for the spark i do not think that the team needs any. They got their ass kicked and hopefully it`s more than enough.

All our toughness is either injured or a non-factor (Prust, Moen, Murray, Parros). We’re a nice regular season team with pretty good character/effort, but we’re not in the same league as teams like Boston and LA at this time of year.